China
Effects of plant species richness on the structure of plant-bird interaction networks along a 3000-m elevational gradient in subtropical forestsBackgroundThe structure and diversity of ecological communities is shaped by symbiotic plant and animal relationships. Some birds feed on fleshy fruit producing plants to disperse seeds and facilitate plant reproduction. Bird seed-dispersal networks are plant-animal assemblages that change with environmental conditions. Species richness and species specialization interact with elevation to result in unique assemblages. In this study, the authors examine how plant and bird interactions change with plant species richness along a 3000-meter gradient in a subtropical forest in China. Available with subscription or purchase |
Tree planting is not a simple solutionBACKGROUNDTree planting has been identified as a panacea for environmental problems leading to the initiation of large- scale reforestation projects by governments and non- profit organizations. Many of the top- down reforestation projects have failed and have not been properly done, resulting in negative outcomes e.g., destruction of native grasslands in the savannas, increased social inequity among smallholders and dispossessing the local people. Available with subscription or purchase |
Leverage points for improving global food security and the environmentBACKGROUNDMeeting global food demands is still a challenge, yet agriculture has been one of the main driving forces of greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, this study focused on identifying small regions, actions that can be taken and crops with a potential of increasing global yields, with an efficient system of food delivery and reducing the negative impacts of agriculture on the environment. Open access copy available |
Tropical forest restoration: Fast resilience of plant biomass contrasts with slow recovery of stable soil C stocksBackgroundThe study looks at three land-use types: 1) land left barren after a clear-cut in the 1950s, with only a sparse cover of shrubs, grasses, and vines, 2) a Eucalyptus exserta plantation established in the 1960s, and 3) a eucalyptus plantation that was clear-cut in 1974 and converted into a plantation of native tree species, now considered a secondary forest. The biomass and soil carbon (C) of these three land-use types were compared to a nearby natural old-growth forest. Open access copy available |
The political economy of reforestation and forest restoration in Asia–Pacific: Critical issues for REDD+BackgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
Evaluating the ecological performance of wetland restoration in the Yellow River Delta, ChinaBackgroundThroughout the world, wetlands have been severly degraded. In response, there have been large scale efforts to restore these vital ecosystems through focusing on three key areas: hydrology, biology and soil. Still, there are significant knowledge gaps concerning these efforts. Thus, this monitoring project evaluates the progress of wetland restoration in an area in the Yellow River Delta in China in order to further develop, refine, and disseminate site and landscape-level monitoring methods and trail restoration processes. Available with subscription or purchase |
China’s Conversion of Cropland to Forest Program for Household Delivery of Ecosystem Services: How Important is a Local Implementation Regime to Survival Rate Outcomes?BackgroundIn response to catastrophic droughts in the lat 1990s, China launched one of the largest afforestation-based Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) progrms. Much research around this program has focused on the impact on rural welfare. This study, on the other hand, examines the tree survival rates during the “Grain for Green” Program based on socio-economic data of the single households. Open access copy available |
Restauration des paysages forestiers: Exemples concrets dans 5 écorégions (Forest Landscapre Restoration: Concrete examples from 5 ecoregions)This publication gives an overview of five ecosystems in which WWF is currently working on forest landscape restoration projects. The cases are in China, Bulgaria, Brazil, Malaysia, and New Caledonia.
Open access copy available |
What does it take? The role of incentives in forest plantation development in Asia and the PacificBackgroundThe Asia-Pacific region has a significant amount of diverse forest cover. While many countries have experience deforestation, the remaining forests are still valued for their ecosystem services and timber products. To protect these two benefits, severa government have promoted forest plantations as a forest management strategy. This reports assess the impact of incentives on forest plantation development. Open access copy available |
The World Bank Forest Strategy: Striking the Right BalancebackgroundIn response to the changing dynamics of the forest sector and global economy, the World Bank launched a Forest Policy Implementation Review and Strategy process. Through this process the Operations and Evaluation Department (OED) was asked to conduct an independent evaluation of the Bank's 1991 Forest Strategy, which is reviewed in this report. Available with subscription or purchase |
